Sports minister, Sunday Dare on Wednesday approved the money to refund
the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) who
wrongly credited the sum of $150,000 instead of $15,000 into the
account of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria in 2017.
The Sports Minister who would have been briefed when he assumed office
said the money should hit the account of the athletics governing body
in a matter of days.
“I have approved the release of funds to refund the IAAF overpayment
wrongly credited to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. In a few days
from now, the funds should hit the account of the IAAF baring any
interbank delays. With this Nigeria’s reputation is regained,” he made
the announcement via his Twitter handle.
Although Dare did not disclose how much the IAAF would be paid, it is
believed they should get $135,000 which was what the AFN was expected
to transfer but failed to despite the several reminders from the
governing body.
One of such letters the AFN got was in May 2019, when IAAF gave a
deadline of two weeks of which sanctions would follow.
The warning came on the heels of the then minister Solomon Dalung who
promised that Nigeria would repay 50 percent of the ‘missing money
before he left the office.
Two years ago, the IAAF made an overpayment to the AFN. Instead of the
usual grant of $15,000 the world athletics body paid $150,000.
When the mistake was detected in just a matter of days, a letter was
written to AFN to refund the money.
